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Dan Lanning Reacts to Oregon Ducks Fans Asking for Inflatable Duck Appearance

Wading above the White River rapids in Indiana, an inflatable version of the Oregon Duck mascot stunned fans at Big Ten media days last year. Dan Lanning answers if the inflatable will make a visit outside of Martin Stadium for Oregon vs Northwestern.
Ally Osborne|
Bypassers look at and take photos with an inflatable University of Oregon Duck mascot on the White River in front of the NCAA Headquarters on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. The float weighs in at 1,600 pounds and takes 1.5 hours to inflate.
Bypassers look at and take photos with an inflatable University of Oregon Duck mascot on the White River in front of the NCAA Headquarters on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. The float weighs in at 1,600 pounds and takes 1.5 hours to inflate. | Brett Phelps/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Oregon DucksNorthwestern Wildcats

Just a year ago, an inflatable Oregon Duck drifting on the White River in Indianapolis shocked fans visiting the Ducks' first Big Ten Media Days. Now, with No. 4 nationally ranked Oregon taking on the Northwestern Wildcats with Lake Michigan as the backdrop, Duck fans are clamoring for the return of the 65-foot-tall big-billed balloon.

According to Oregon coach Dan Lanning, the inflatable duck rumors are being blown out of proportion.

“I have no clue. It would be cool to see it out there. Doubtful," Lanning said during a Wednesday media availability.

An inflatable of the University of Oregon Duck mascot floats on the White River in front of the NCAA Headquarters on Tuesday,
An inflatable of the University of Oregon Duck mascot floats on the White River in front of the NCAA Headquarters on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. The float weighs in at 1,600 pounds and takes 1.5 hours to inflate. | Brett Phelps/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Wildcats Considered the Floating Duck

Though Lanning didn't consider the massive balloon, the Northwestern Wildcats sure did. Northwestern head coach David Braun even addressed the potential of the giant Duck floating outside of Martin Stadium when previewing the matchup against Oregon.

“I have thought about that,” Braun said. “We’re going to have to figure something out. We can’t have any ducks floating around on game day.”

Martin Stadium, which is typically used for Northwestern's lacrosse or soccer program, is currently the temporary home for the football team as the Wildcats wait for their new stadium to be constructed.

The venue is surrounded on three sides by Lake Michigan, and is a part of Northwestern's Lakefront Athletics and Recreation Complex making it the perfect venue to bring a giant water-based statement if you're an opposing team.

Kayakers help to secure an inflatable University of Oregon Duck mascot on the White River from blowing away Tuesday, July 23,
Kayakers help to secure an inflatable University of Oregon Duck mascot on the White River from blowing away Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. The float weighs in at 1,600 pounds and takes 1.5 hours to inflate. | Brett Phelps/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Social Media Yearns for the Big Duck

With Lanning addressing the rumors of the big duck making its way to Lake Michigan, it's a fair statement to say Oregon Duck fans on social media are running amok with the idea.

Even popular social media account @SickosCommittee, which shares the unconventional traditions surrounding college football, added their two cents to the inflatable duck conversation, referencing a podcast they made in August about the exact topic.

Below are some of the most popular posts about the inflatable Oregon Duck potentially making its way to Northwestern.

The Adoption of The Inflatable Duck

Since it's debut last year, the inflatable duck was also brought up to potentially float in the Bellagio Hotel fountain in Las Vegas for Oregon's second Big Ten Media Days. Safe to say, the giant water fowl made it's way into the hearts of many after it's debut.

“It’s been amazing seeing duck fans so quickly adopt into the Oregon flock. Oregon is always ready to make a big splash and is consistently innovative with their marketing, and we wanted to do something that would turn heads," said Jacobi Mehringer and Andrew Chhour of Oregon-based ad agency Wieden + Kennedy, the minds behind the giant Duck.

The marketing agency also teased future projects with the program.

We’re going to keep showing up in mighty different ways in the coming months,” the agency said shortly after the Indianapolis promotion. “So stay tuned.”

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Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A born and raised Oregonian, Ally Osborne has a passion for sporting events across her home state. She began writing for Oregon Ducks on SI in 2021. Currently a morning talk show host and sports reporter for KOIN 6 and Portland's CW in Portland, Oregon, Ally is engrained in her community. Finding and sharing stories that highlight the unique culture and connectivity sports creates is a part of her DNA. She frequently contributes sports content to KOIN's broadcast and streaming platforms while hosting talk show "Everyday Northwest" and video podcast "Tower Talk Live" every weekday. With Portland being her third-worked television market (second in Oregon), Osborne brings hard-news and feature-reporting experience to compliment her expertise for sports storytelling. Her journalistic endeavors and art creations (many of which are inspired by the Oregon Ducks) can be found on her social media pages. Ally graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. 

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